AWN Weekly Presents the TSEBL

CMH · 04-13-2007, 01:47 PM

AWN WEEKLY
January 1-8, 1987

MATTHEWS HEADS WORLD'S FIRST PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE

January 1, 1897 -- Oil tycoon and media mogul, John Matthews, is heading the development of the first professional baseball league in the world. With the support of 8 colleagues and friends, the Tri-State Empire Baseball League will begin it's first season of play on April 1st.

"It's an exciting event in America and the entire world," Matthews said. "Baseball has always been a part of American's lives. It is the right time to round up the best talent the world has to offer and bring baseball to the professional ranks."

The league introduced the eight teams that will begin play in three months, with Exhibition games beginning on March 2nd.

The eight franchises introduced during today's news conference are the Brooklyn Grays, Brooklyn Wonders, Hartford Dark Blues, Hoboken Metropolitans, Lincoln (NY) Giants, New York Mutuals, New York Highlanders, and Newark Stars.

"We believe these eight franchises will lay the foundation for what I envision to be a great league in the near future," Matthews later said. "The owners share my vision and believe in the potential success of this organization.

"This is my way of giving back to the people that have given to me. This is opening employment opportunities not only for players, but coaches, trainers, administrators, accountants, financial officers, and more."

John Matthews, 40, is one of the wealthiest men in the world. He built his empire as an oil tycoon and created the largest news resource in the nation, American World News. It is through AWN that he has created his dream baseball league.

The eight teams will begin a free agent draft on January 2nd. Check back with us next week when we list the draft picks and provide early projected lineups and rotations for the teams.

CMH · 04-27-2007, 12:47 PM

AWN WEEKLY
January 7-14, 1987

Tri-State Empire Baseball League Inaugural Draft A Success

January 10, 1897 -- The TSEBL held its inaugural draft and league officials are proud to announce that every player drafted has agreed to participate in the "World's First Professional Baseball League."

The first selection was made by the Hoboken Metropolitans. They selected Manuel Hernandez, a 24 year old hard-throwing left handed starting pitcher from Brentwood, Tennessee.

Hernandez is expected to open the season as the ace and leader of the Metropolitans.

"Our scouts believe he has the chemical make-up to be a dominant pitcher," said GM Kane Janke. "He consistently throws in the low-to-mid 90's and he has a nasty splitter he can use in all counts to induce ground balls.

"He's going to be successful. We have no doubts about that."

The Brooklyn Grays had the second pick in the draft and also selected a left handed starting pitcher in Esteban Roman. The 26 year old Virginia Beach native features the same pitch repertoire as Hernandez, but throws softer.

"What impressed us the most about Roman is his ability to use his changeup and curveball to force grounders," manager Keith Hernandez said. "He doesn't throw particularly hard, but he knows how to use what he's got."

The rest of the first round saw four other pitchers get selected around two second basemen.

The New York Mutuals: SP Mike Cook

Newark Stars: SP Vicente Martínez

Hartford Dark Blues: SP Robert Scott

Lincoln Giants: 2B Donald Page

Brooklyn Wonders: SP Jorge Ortíz

New York Highlanders: 2B Mark Crosby

Spring training begins March 2. AWN's coverage of the TSEBL will continue January 28th with the first of 8 team previews.

Pick up the January 28-February 4 issue for a full team preview of the Hoboken Metropolitans.

Future issues will feature the following:

Feb 4-11 Brooklyn Grays Team Preview
Feb 11-18 New York Mutuals Team Preview
Feb 18-25 Newark Stars Team Preview
Feb 25-March 4 Hartford Dark Blues Team Preview
March 4-11 Lincoln Giants Team Preview
Mar 11-18 Brooklyn Wonders Team Preview
Mar 18-25 New York Highlanders Team Preview
Mar 25-April 1 TSEBL Opening Day Preview

04-13-2007, 01:47 PM	#1
CMH Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5,057	AWN Weekly Presents the TSEBL AWN WEEKLY January 1-8, 1987 MATTHEWS HEADS WORLD'S FIRST PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE January 1, 1897 -- Oil tycoon and media mogul, John Matthews, is heading the development of the first professional baseball league in the world. With the support of 8 colleagues and friends, the Tri-State Empire Baseball League will begin it's first season of play on April 1st. "It's an exciting event in America and the entire world," Matthews said. "Baseball has always been a part of American's lives. It is the right time to round up the best talent the world has to offer and bring baseball to the professional ranks." The league introduced the eight teams that will begin play in three months, with Exhibition games beginning on March 2nd. The eight franchises introduced during today's news conference are the Brooklyn Grays, Brooklyn Wonders, Hartford Dark Blues, Hoboken Metropolitans, Lincoln (NY) Giants, New York Mutuals, New York Highlanders, and Newark Stars. "We believe these eight franchises will lay the foundation for what I envision to be a great league in the near future," Matthews later said. "The owners share my vision and believe in the potential success of this organization. "This is my way of giving back to the people that have given to me. This is opening employment opportunities not only for players, but coaches, trainers, administrators, accountants, financial officers, and more." John Matthews, 40, is one of the wealthiest men in the world. He built his empire as an oil tycoon and created the largest news resource in the nation, American World News. It is through AWN that he has created his dream baseball league. The eight teams will begin a free agent draft on January 2nd. Check back with us next week when we list the draft picks and provide early projected lineups and rotations for the teams.

04-27-2007, 12:47 PM	#2
CMH Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5,057	AWN WEEKLY January 7-14, 1987 Tri-State Empire Baseball League Inaugural Draft A Success January 10, 1897 -- The TSEBL held its inaugural draft and league officials are proud to announce that every player drafted has agreed to participate in the "World's First Professional Baseball League." The first selection was made by the Hoboken Metropolitans. They selected Manuel Hernandez, a 24 year old hard-throwing left handed starting pitcher from Brentwood, Tennessee. Hernandez is expected to open the season as the ace and leader of the Metropolitans. "Our scouts believe he has the chemical make-up to be a dominant pitcher," said GM Kane Janke. "He consistently throws in the low-to-mid 90's and he has a nasty splitter he can use in all counts to induce ground balls. "He's going to be successful. We have no doubts about that." The Brooklyn Grays had the second pick in the draft and also selected a left handed starting pitcher in Esteban Roman. The 26 year old Virginia Beach native features the same pitch repertoire as Hernandez, but throws softer. "What impressed us the most about Roman is his ability to use his changeup and curveball to force grounders," manager Keith Hernandez said. "He doesn't throw particularly hard, but he knows how to use what he's got." The rest of the first round saw four other pitchers get selected around two second basemen. The New York Mutuals: SP Mike Cook Newark Stars: SP Vicente Martínez Hartford Dark Blues: SP Robert Scott Lincoln Giants: 2B Donald Page Brooklyn Wonders: SP Jorge Ortíz New York Highlanders: 2B Mark Crosby Spring training begins March 2. AWN's coverage of the TSEBL will continue January 28th with the first of 8 team previews. Pick up the January 28-February 4 issue for a full team preview of the Hoboken Metropolitans. Future issues will feature the following: Feb 4-11 Brooklyn Grays Team Preview Feb 11-18 New York Mutuals Team Preview Feb 18-25 Newark Stars Team Preview Feb 25-March 4 Hartford Dark Blues Team Preview March 4-11 Lincoln Giants Team Preview Mar 11-18 Brooklyn Wonders Team Preview Mar 18-25 New York Highlanders Team Preview Mar 25-April 1 TSEBL Opening Day Preview